Two exceptional Teesside youngsters are in the running for a prestigious award.

Two exceptional Teesside youngsters are in the running for a prestigious award.

Felicity Kitchen, six, and 12-year-old Tom Cartwright have both been nominated for Child of Achievement Awards.

The honours are being presented to 150 children nationally during a glittering ceremony at a top London hotel on Sunday .

Now in their 21st year, the awards recognise the achievements of "exceptional" children across the country.

Some devote much of their young lives to caring for others, while others are marked out by their ability to overcome illness or disability.

Courageous Felicity, or Flissy as she is called, had so many medical problems at birth she was not expected to survive.

Flissy, from Ingleby Barwick, weighed just 1lb 10oz when she was born and a year later she was still only 10lb.

Mum Vicki said: "They gave her very little chance of survival."

At just two days, Flissy was diagnosed with kidney failure and had heart surgery at four weeks.

She has had five major operations and could face more.

Vicki said: "We don't know. Because Flissy is genetically quite unique in some ways they can't tell you what is going to happen.

"You live for today; you make the most of what you have got.

"She is almost seven. I never thought she would be here at seven."

Her mum describes Flissy, who goes to Polam Hall School in Darlington, as "a bright little button". "She is full of life. She is always singing and dancing. She is just very, very happy."

Her nomination states: "For a child never expected to live, walk or have a normal lifestyle, her achievements are more than anyone could ever have hoped."

Vicki said: "She doesn't complain, she gets on with it. I don't think she realises how special she is."

Fellow nominee Tom Cartwright's story is similarly inspiring.

Tom, a pupil at St Peter's C E School in Brotton, has cerebral palsy. He has speech difficulties and a tremor which affects his hands and fine motor skills.

But he has successfully integrated into mainstream school, rising to the challenge with "an infectious and cheery smile", according to staff. Praised as an example to both teachers and pupils, he can write even though it is extremely difficult for him.

Tom's parents, Austin and Barbara Cartwright, of Moorsholm, said they were "chuffed to bits".

"He is smashing but we are biased," said Austin, who took early retirement from his job with Stockton Council to spend more time with his family.

He said when Tom was born he was "very, very ill". "He nearly died. He had virtually no heartbeat for 40 minutes."

But he said doctors "performed wonders" and Tom fought back.

Now, says his dad, "every day is a bonus". He said Tom was a good natured and "extremely cheerful" lad who loves people and helps other children when they have difficulties.

He added: "Nothing bothers him. He is a lesson to us every day."

Sunday's presentation is due to take place at the exclusive London Hilton in Park Lane.

Those presenting the awards were expected to include Harry Potter author J K Rowling.